• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 22:1-24
• Prophets (P): Isaiah 33:7-22
• Apostolic (A): Hebrews 11:11-19; James 1:12-24
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 17:15-18; Jubilees 18:1-19

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7 (T)
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (T)
• 2 Peter 2:9 (T)
• Psalms 22:20; Psalms 35:17; Proverbs 4:3; Jeremiah 6:26; Amos 8:10; Zechariah 12:10 (T)
• James 2:19-26 (T)
• Genesis 22:3 (LXX)
• John 1:14-37 (T)
• Matthew 17:4-13 (T)
• John 8:52-58 (T)
• Acts 3:1-26 (T)
• Hebrews 11:17-19 (T)
• Genesis 25:21-26; Genesis 48:10-20; Exodus 4:21-23; Jeremiah 31:9; Romans 9:6-18 (ADD)
• Exodus 12:1-51 (ADD)

RELATED ADDITIONAL REA.D.INGS

• Tobit 3:1-7; Tobit 8:1-21 (T)
• Wisdom of Solomon 7:21-28 (T)
• Jubilees 10:5-9 (ADD)
• 4Q225 (4Q226) Fragment 2 Col. 1, Col. 2 (T)
• Enoch 15:1-11 (ADD)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 1.13.1-4 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

22:1 After these words, [the Elohim]^(MTT) tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham, [Abraham]!”^(LXX) He said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Now take your son, your [beloved]^(LXX) one, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.” 3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place [the Elohim]^(MTT) had told him[, on the third day].^(LXX) 4 [And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off].^(LXX) 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “Elohim will see himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together. 9 They came to the place [the Elohim]^(MTT) had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son. 11 The angel of [Elohim]^(mss) called to him out of the heavens, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Don't lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear Elohim, since you have not withheld your son, your [beloved]^(LXX) one, from me.” 13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw [one]^(LXX) ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place, [Elohim]^(DSS) Yireh. As it is said to this day, “On a mountain [Elohim]^(DSS) appeared.” 15 The angel of [Elohim]^(mss) called to Abraham a second time out of the heavens, 16 and said, I have sworn by myself,' says YHWH, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your [beloved]^(LXX) one, [from me]^(LXX) 17 I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your seed greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your seed will possess the gate of his enemies. 18 All the nations of the land will be blessed by your seed, because you have obeyed my voice.' ” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Be'ersheba. Abraham lived at Be'ersheba. 20 After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne sons to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Prophets Portion (P)

33:7 Behold, their valiant ones cry outside; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly. 8 The highways are desolate. The traveling man ceases. The covenant is broken. He has despised the [witnesses].^(DSS) He doesn’t respect man. 9 The land mourns and languishes. Lebanon is confounded and withers away. Sharon is like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel are stripped bare. 10 “Now I will arise,” says YHWH. “Now I will lift myself up. Now I will be exalted. 11 You will conceive chaff. You will give birth to stubble. Your breath is a fire that will devour you. 12 The peoples will be like the burning of lime, like thorns that are cut down and burned in the fire. 13 Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and, you who are near, acknowledge my might.” 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the filthy. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? 15 He who walks righteously and speaks blamelessly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil— 16 he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. 17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. 18 Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed? Where is he who counted the towers? 19 You will no longer see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that you can’t comprehend, with a strange language that you can’t understand. 20 Look at Zion, the city of our appointed festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that won’t be removed. Its stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken. 21 But there YHWH will be with us in majesty, a place of wide rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars will go, neither will any gallant ship pass by there. 22 [For my Elohim is great].^(LXX) YHWH is our lawgiver. YHWH is our king. He will save us.

Apostolic Portion (A)

Hebrews 11:11-19; James 1:12-24

Hebrews 11:11 In faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore Elohim is not ashamed of them, to be called their Elohim, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 In faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, 18 to whom it was said, “Your seed will be accounted as from Isaac,” (cf. Genesis 21:12) 19 concluding that Elohim is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.

Ya’aqov (James) 1:12 Blessed is a person who endures testing, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tested, “I am tested by Elohim,” for Elohim cannot be tested by evil, and he himself tests no one. 14 But each one is tested when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow. 18 Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 [This you know],^(mss) my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man doesn’t [accomplish]^(mss) the righteousness of Elohim. 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

Additional Portion (ADD)

Between 1947 and 1956 approximately 15 Jubilees scrolls were found in five caves at Qumran, all written in Hebrew. The large number of manuscripts (more than for any biblical books except for Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Exodus, and Genesis, in descending order) indicates that Jubilees was widely used at Qumran. A comparison of the Qumran texts with the Ethiopic version, performed by James VanderKam, found that the Ethiopic was in most respects an accurate and literalistic translation. Scholars have dated Jubilees to have been written sometime around 160-150 B.C.

17:15 And it came to pass in the seventh week, in the first year thereof, in the first new moon in this jubilee [2003 A.M.], on the twelfth of this new moon, there were voices in the heavens regarding Abraham, that he was faithful in all that He told him, and that he loved YHWH, and that in every affliction he was faithful. 16. And the prince Mastema came and said before Elohim, “Behold, Abraham loveth Isaac his son, and he delighteth in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt offering on the altar, and Thou wilt see if he will do this command, and Thou wilt know if he is faithful in everything wherein Thou dost try him.” 17. And YHWH knew that Abraham was faithful in all his afflictions; for He had tried him through his country and with famine, and had tried him with the wealth of kings, and had tried him again through his wife, when she was torn from him, and with circumcision, and had tried him through Ishmael and Hagar, his maid-servant, when he sent them away. 18. And in everything wherein He had tried him, he was found faithful, and his soul was not impatient, and he was not slow to act; for he was faithful and a lover of YHWH.

18:1 And Elohim said to him, “Abraham, Abraham,” and he said, “Behold, here am I.” 2. And He said, “Take thy beloved son whom thou lovest, Isaac, and go unto the high country, and offer him on one of the mountains which I will point out unto thee.” 3. And he rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took his two young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood of the burnt offering, and he went to the place on the third day, and he saw the place afar off. 4. And he came to a well of water, and he said to his young men, “Abide ye here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder, and when we have worshipped we will come again to you.” 5. And he took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife, and they went both of them together to that place. 6. And Isaac said to his father, “Father”; and he said, “Here am I, my son.” And he said unto him, “Behold the fire, and the knife, and the wood; but where is the sheep for the burnt offering, father?” 7. And he said, “Elohim will provide for himself a sheep for a burnt offering, my son.” And he drew near to the place of the mount of Elohim. 8. And he built an altar, and he placed the wood on the altar, and bound Isaac his son, and placed him on the wood which was upon the altar, and stretched forth his hand to take the knife to slay Isaac his son. 9. And I stood before him, and before the prince of the Mastema, and YHWH said, “Bid him not to lay his hand on the lad, nor to do anything to him, for I have shown that he feareth YHWH.” 10. And I called to him from the heavens, and said unto him: “Abraham, Abraham”; and he was terrified and said: “Behold, here am I.” 11. And I said unto him: “Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything to him; for now I have shown that thou fearest YHWH, and hast not withheld thy son, thy firstborn son, from me.” 12. And the prince of the Mastema was put to shame; and Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a single ram caught … by his horns, and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 13. And Abraham called that place “YHWH hath seen,” so that it is said “in the mount YHWH hath seen”: that is Mount Zion. 14. And YHWH called Abraham by his name a second time from the heavens, as he caused us to appear to speak to him in the name of YHWH. 15. And He said: “By Myself have I sworn, saith YHWH, Because thou hast done this thing, And hast not withheld thy son, thy beloved son, from Me, That in blessing I will bless thee And in multiplying I will multiply thy seed As the stars of the heavens, And as the sand which is on the seashore. And thy seed will inherit the cities of its enemies, 16. And in thy seed will all nations of the land be blessed; Because thou hast obeyed My voice, And I have shown to all that thou art faithful unto Me in all that I have said unto thee: Go in peace.” 17. And Abraham went to his young men, and they arose and went together to Be’ersheba, and Abraham dwelt by the Well of the Oath. 18. And he celebrated this festival every year, seven days with joy, and he called it the festival of YHWH according to the seven days during which he went and returned in peace. 19. And accordingly hath it been ordained and written on the heavenly tables regarding Israel and its seed that they should observe this festival seven days with the joy of festival.

Related Scriptures

Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7 (T)

1:6 Now on the day when sons of Elohim came to present themselves before YHWH, the Adversary also came among them. 7 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Where have you come from?” Then the Adversary answered YHWH, and said, “From going back and forth in the land, and from walking up and down in it.” 8 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the land, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears Elohim, and turns away from evil.” 9 Then the Adversary answered YHWH, and said, “Does Job fear Elohim for nothing? 10 Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.” 12 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.” So the Adversary went out from the face of YHWH.

2:1 Again, on the day when the sons of Elohim came to present themselves before YHWH, the Adversary came also among them to present himself before YHWH. 2 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Where have you come from?” The Adversary answered YHWH, and said, “From going back and forth in the land, and from walking up and down in it.” 3 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the land, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears Elohim, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.” 4 The Adversary answered YHWH, and said, “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face.” 6 YHWH said to the Adversary, “Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his life.” 7 So the Adversary went out from the face of YHWH, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head.

10:13 No test has taken you except what is common to man. Elohim is faithful, who will not allow you to be tested above what you are able, but will with the test also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Psalms 35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my [beloved] from the lions.

Proverbs 4:3 For I was a son to my father, tender and the [beloved] in the sight of my mother.

Jeremiah 6:26 Daughter of my people, clothe yourself with sackcloth, and wallow in ashes! Mourn, as for a [beloved], most bitter lamentation, for the destroyer will suddenly come on us.

Amos 8:10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will make you wear sackcloth on all your bodies, and baldness on every head. I will make it like the mourning for a [beloved], and its end like a bitter day.

Zechariah 12:10 I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his [beloved], and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.

22:3 And Abraham rising up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and he took with himself two servants, and Isaac his son. And splitting wood for a whole offering, and rising up to go, they came upon the place which Elohim spoke to him on the third day.

Compare to Genesis 22:3-4; “Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which Elohim had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.”

James 2:19-26 (T)

2:19 You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder. 20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected. 23 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed Elohim, and it was imputed to him as righteousness,” (cf. Genesis 15:6) and he was called the friend of Elohim. 24 You see then that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

John 1:14-37 (T)

1:14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born son of a father, full of grace and truth. 15 Yochanan witnessed about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17 For the Torah was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Yeshua the Messiah. 18 No one has seen Elohim at any time. The only born [Elohim],^(NU-Text) who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him. 19 This is Yochanan’s witness, when the Judeans sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of YHWH,’ (cf. Isaiah 40:3) as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you immerse if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 Yochanan answered them, “I immerse in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.” 28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Yochanan was immersing. 29 The next day, he saw Yeshua coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came immersing in water, that he would be revealed to Israel.” 32 Yochanan witnessed, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of the heavens, and it remained on him. 33 I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to immerse in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who immerses in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and have witnessed that this is the Son of Elohim.” 35 Again, the next day, Yochanan was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Yeshua as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of Elohim!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Yeshua.

Matthew 17:4-13 (T)

17:4 Peter answered and said to Yeshua, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my [beloved] Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. 7 Yeshua came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” 8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Yeshua alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Yeshua commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” 10 His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Yeshua answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of Yochanan the Immerser.

John 8:52-58 (T)

8:52 Then the Judeans said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Yeshua answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our Elohim. 55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him and guard his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 The Judeans therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” 58 Yeshua said to them, “Amen, amen, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I am.”

3:1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Yafeh, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. 4 Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” 5 He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. 8 Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising Elohim. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising Elohim. 10 They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Yafeh Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12 When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Elohim of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Yeshua, whom you delivered up, and denied in the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom Elohim raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. 16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the face of you all. 17 “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But the things which Elohim announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Messiah should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the face of YHWH, 20 and that he may send Messiah Yeshua, who was ordained for you before, 21 whom the heavens must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which Elohim spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. 22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘YHWH Elohim will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You will listen to him in all things whatever he says to you. 23 It will be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ (cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19) 24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which Elohim made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the land will be blessed through your seed.’ (Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4) 26 Elohim, having raised up his servant Yeshua, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”

11:17 In faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up the only born, 18 to whom it was said, “Your seed will be accounted as from Isaac,” 19 concluding that Elohim is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.

Genesis 25:21-26; Genesis 48:10-20; Exodus 4:21-23; Jeremiah 31:9; Romans 9:6-18 (ADD)

Genesis 25:21 Isaac entreated YHWH for his wife, because she was barren. YHWH was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of YHWH. 23 YHWH said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.” 24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Genesis 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. 11 Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, Elohim has let me see your seed also.” 12 Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the land. 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him. 14 Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 He blessed Joseph, and said, “The Elohim before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the Elohim who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the land.” 17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it was evil in his eyes. He held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” 19 His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his seed will become the fullness of the nations.” 20 He blessed them that day, saying, “Israel will bless in you, saying, ‘Elohim make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’ ” He set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Exodus 4:21 YHWH said to Moses, “When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I will strengthen his heart and he will not let the people go. 22 You will tell Pharaoh, ‘YHWH says, Israel is my son, my firstborn, 23 and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping. I will lead them with petitions. I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they won’t stumble; for I am a father to Israel. Ephraim is my firstborn.

Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of Elohim has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. 7 Neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children. But, “your seed will be accounted as from Isaac.” (cf. Genesis 21:12) 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. 9 For this is a word of promise: “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” (cf. Genesis 18:10; Genesis 18:14) 10 Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. 11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of Elohim according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.” (cf. Genesis 25:23) 13 Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (cf. Malachi 1:2-3) 14 What will we say then? Is there unrighteousness with Elohim? May it never be! 15 For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (cf. Exodus 33:19) 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (cf. Exodus 9:16) 18 So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.

Exodus 12:1-51 (ADD)

12:1 YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This new moon will be to you the beginning of new moons. It will be the first new moon of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth day of this new moon, they will take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household; 4 and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house will take one according to the number of the souls. You will make your count for the lamb according to what everyone can eat. 5 Your lamb will be without defect, a male a year old. You will take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You will keep it until the fourteenth day of the new moon; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will kill it at evening. 7 They will take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they will eat it. 8 They will eat the meat in that night, roasted with fire, with unleavened bread. They will eat it with bitter herbs. 9 Don’t eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts. 10 You will let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you will burn with fire. 11 This is how you will eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you will eat it in haste: it is the Pesach of YHWH. 12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments against all the Elohim of Egypt. I am YHWH. 13 The blood will be to you for a sign on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This day will be a memorial for you. You will hold a feast to YHWH. You will hold a feast throughout your generations by a statute forever. 15 Seven days you will eat unleavened bread; even the first day you will put away leaven out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul will be cut off from Israel. 16 In the first day there will be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no kind of work will be done in them, except that which every man must eat, only that may be done by you. 17 You will guard the feast of unleavened bread; for [in the bone of this day] I have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you will guard this day throughout your generations by a statute forever. 18 In the first new moon, on the fourteenth day of the new moon at evening, you will eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the new moon at evening. 19 There will be no leaven found in your houses for seven days, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger, or one who is born in the land. 20 You will eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you will eat unleavened bread.’ ” 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Pesach. 22 You will take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you will go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For YHWH will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, YHWH will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You will guard this word for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It will happen when you have come to the land which YHWH will give you, as he has promised, that you will keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you will say, ‘It is the slaughter of the Pesach of YHWH, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’ ” The people bowed their heads and did bow down. 28 The sons of Israel went and did so; as YHWH had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 29 At midnight, YHWH struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, serve YHWH, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!” 33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The sons of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 YHWH gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians. 37 The sons of Israel traveled from Rameses to Sukkot, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, in addition to little ones. 38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves. 40 Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of the armies of YHWH went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of safeguarding to YHWH for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of YHWH, safeguarding by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations. 43 YHWH said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Pesach. No son of a stranger will eat of it, 44 but every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then will he eat of it. 45 A sojourner and a hired-servant will not eat of it. 46 It must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel will do it. 48 When a sojourner sojourns with you, and would like to do the Pesach to YHWH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and do it. He will be as one who is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person will eat of it. 49 One Torah will be to him who is born at home, and to the sojourner who sojourns among you.” 50 All the sons of Israel did so. As YHWH commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 That same day, YHWH brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Related Additional Readings

Tobit 3:1-7; Tobit 8:1-21 (T)

Tobit, also called The Book of Tobias, found its way into the Roman Catholic canon via the Septuagint. Before the 1952 discovery of Aramaic and Hebrew fragments of Tobit among the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave at Qumran, scholars believed Tobit was not included in the Jewish canon because of late authorship, estimated to 100 A.D. Qumran fragments of the text, which were copied between 100 B.C. to 25 A.D., evidence a much earlier origin than previously thought. These fragments evidence authorship no later than the 2nd century B.C. and, likely, contemporary with the date ascribed, by modern scholars, to the final compilation of the Book of Daniel, which did attain canonical status.

3:1 I was grieved and wept, and prayed in sorrow, saying, 2 “O Lord, you are righteous, and all your works and all your ways are mercy and truth, and you judge true and righteous judgment forever. 3 Remember me, and look at me. Don’t take vengeance on me for my sins and my ignorances, and the sins of my fathers who sinned before you. 4 For they disobeyed your commandments. You gave us as plunder, for captivity, for death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed. 5 Now your judgments are many and true, that you should deal with me according to my sins and the sins of my fathers, because we didn’t keep your commandments, for we didn’t walk in truth before you. 6 Now deal with me according to that which is pleasing in your sight. Command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be released, and become earth. For it is more profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and there is much sorrow in me. Command that I be released from my distress, now, and go to the everlasting place. Don’t turn your face away from me.” 7 The same day it happened to Sarah the daughter of Raguel in Ecbatana of Media, that she also was reproached by her father’s maidservants; 8 because that she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaeus the evil spirit killed them, before they had lain with her. And they said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You have had already seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them. 9 Why do you scourge us? If they are dead, go your ways with them. Let us never see either son or daughter from you.” 10 When she heard these things, she was grieved exceedingly, so that she thought about hanging herself. Then she said, “I am the only born daughter of my father. If I do this, it will be a reproach to him, and I will bring down his old age with sorrow to Hades.” 11 Then she prayed by the window, and said, “Blessed are you, O Lord my Elohim, and blessed is your holy and honorable name forever! Let all your works praise you forever! 12 And now, Lord, I have set my eyes and my face toward you. 13 Command that I be released from the earth, and that I no longer hear reproach. 14 You know, Lord, that I am pure from all sin with man, 15 and that I never polluted my name or the name of my father in the land of my captivity. I am the only born daughter of my father, and he has no child that will be his heir, nor brother near him, nor son belonging to him, that I should guard myself for a woman to him. Seven husbands of mine are dead already. Why should I live? If it doesn’t please you to kill me, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, and that I hear no more reproach.” 16 The prayer of both was heard before the glory of the great Elohim. 17 Raphael also was sent to heal them both, to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel for a woman to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodaeus the evil spirit; because it belonged to Tobias that he should inherit her. At that very time, Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber. 8:1 When they had finished their supper, they brought Tobias in to her. 2 But as he went, he remembered the words of Raphael, and took the ashes of the incense, and put the heart and the liver of the fish on them, and made smoke with them. 3 When the demon smelled that smell, it fled into the uppermost parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him. 4 But after they were both shut in together, Tobias rose up from the bed, and said, “Sister, arise, and let’s pray that YHWH may have mercy on us.” 5 And Tobias began to say, “Blessed are you, O Elohim of our fathers, and blessed is your holy and glorious name forever. Let the heavens bless you, and all your creatures. 6 You made Adam, and gave him Eve his wife for a helper and support. From them came the seed of men. You said, it is not good that the man should be alone. Let’s make him a helper like him. 7 And now, O Lord, I take not this my sister for coveting, but in truth. Command that I may find mercy and grow old with her.” 8 She said with him, “Amen.” And they both slept that night. 9 Raguel arose, and went and dug a grave, 10 saying, “Lest he also should die.” 11 And Raguel came into his house, 12 and said to Edna his wife, “Send one of the maidservants, and let them see if he is alive. If not, we will bury him, and no man will know it.” 13 So the maidservant opened the door, and went in, and found them both sleeping, 14 and came out, and told them that he was alive. 15 Then Raguel blessed Elohim, saying, “Blessed are you, O Elohim, with all pure and holy blessing! Let your saints bless you, and all your creatures! Let all your angels and your elect bless you forever! 16 Blessed are you, because you have made me glad; and it has not happened to me as I suspected; but you have dealt with us according to your great mercy. 17 Blessed are you, because you have had mercy on two that were the only begotten children of their parents. Show them mercy, O Lord. Fulfill their life in health with gladness and mercy. 18 He commanded his servants to fill the grave. 19 He kept the wedding feast for them fourteen days. 20 Before the days of the wedding feast were finished, Raguel sware to him, that he should not depart till the fourteen days of the wedding feast were fulfilled; 21 and that then he should take half of his goods, and go in safety to his father; and the rest, said he, when my wife and I die.

Wisdom of Solomon 7:21-28 (T)

The Wisdom of Solomon, or Book of Wisdom, is a Jewish work, written in Greek, and most likely composed in Alexandria, Egypt. Generally dated to the mid first century B.C. It is uncertain whether the book has a single author or comes from a school of writers, but recent scholarship has favored regarding it as a unified work. Fragments of the Wisdom of Solomon were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the first discovered and excavated cave at Qumran in 1949.

7:21 All things that are either secret or manifest I learned, 22 for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me. For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy, only born, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered, 23 beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying, and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle. 24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion. Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things by reason of her purity. 25 For she is a breath of the power of Elohim, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty. Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her. 26 For she is a reflection of everlasting light, an unspotted mirror of the working of Elohim, and an image of his goodness. 27 Although she is one, she has power to do all things. Remaining in herself, she renews all things. From generation to generation passing into holy souls, she makes friends of Elohim and prophets. 28 For Elohim loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom.

Between 1947 and 1956 approximately 15 Jubilees scrolls were found in five caves at Qumran, all written in Hebrew. The large number of manuscripts (more than for any biblical books except for Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Exodus, and Genesis, in descending order) indicates that Jubilees was widely used at Qumran. A comparison of the Qumran texts with the Ethiopic version, performed by James VanderKam, found that the Ethiopic was in most respects an accurate and literalistic translation. Scholars have dated Jubilees to have been written sometime around 160-150 B.C.

10:28 And Ham and his sons went into the land which he was to occupy, which he acquired as his portion in the land of the south. 29. And Canaan saw the land of Lebanon to the river of Egypt that it was very good, and he went not into the land of his inheritance to the west (that is to) the sea, and he dwelt in the land of Lebanon, eastward and westward from the border of Jordan and from the border of the sea. 30. And Ham, his father, and Cush and Mizraim, his brothers, said unto him: “Thou hast settled in a land which is not thine, and which did not fall to us by lot: do not do so; for if thou dost do so, thou and thy sons will fall in the land and (be) accursed through sedition; for by sedition ye have settled, and by sedition will thy children fall, and thou shalt be rooted out for ever. 31. Dwell not in the dwelling of Shem; for to Shem and to his sons did it come by their lot. 32. Cursed art thou, and cursed shalt thou be beyond all the sons of Noaḥ, by the curse by which we bound ourselves by an oath in the face of the holy judge, and in the face of Noaḥ our father.” 33. But he did not hearken unto them, and dwelt in the land of Lebanon from Hamath to the entering of Egypt, he and his sons until this day. 34. And for this reason that land is named Canaan. 35. And Japheth and his sons went towards the sea and dwelt in the land of their portion, and Madai saw the land of the sea and it did not please him, and he begged a (portion) from Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad, his wife’s brother, and he dwelt in the land of Media, near to his wife’s brother until this day. 36. And he called his dwelling-place, and the dwelling-place of his sons, Media, after the name of their father Madai.

I … that so[ul] will be cut off … [he dwel]t in Haran for twenty [yea]rs (not seventeen as in Jub. xii, 12, 28). [And A]braham [said] to Elohim, ‘Behold, I am naked (childless) and it is Eli[ezer, the son] of my household, who will inherit from me.’ vacat [And the Lo]rd [said] to A[b]raham, ‘Lift up (your eyes) and gaze at the stars and see and count the sand that is on the sea shore and the dust of the land as to whether [they can be coun]ted. And Abraham bel[ieved in] G[o]d and this was reckoned for him as righteousness. And a son was born af[ter]wards [to Abraha]m and he called his name Isaac. And the prince Ma[s]temah came [to G]od and accused Abraham on account of Isaac. And [G]od said [to Abra]ham, ‘Take your son, Isaac, [your] only (son) [whom] you [love] and offer him to me as a burnt offering on one of the … mountains [which I will tell] you.’ And he ro[se and he we]nt from the wells to Mo[unt Moriah] … And Ab[raham] lifted up II his [ey]es [and behold there was] a fire. And he placed [the wood on Isaac, his son, and they went together]. And Isaac said to Abraham, [his father, ‘Behold there is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb] for the burnt offering?’ And Abraham said to [Isaac, his son, ‘Elohim will provide a lamb] for himself.’ Isaac said to his father, ‘T[ie me well’] (Ps. J, N on xxii, 10) … the holy angels standing and weeping over [the altar] … his sons from the land. And the angels of M[astemah] … were rejoicing and saying, ‘Now he (Isaac) will be destroyed … [we will see] whether he will be found weak and whether A[braham] will be found unfaithful [to Elohim.’ And he (Elohim) called,] ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ And he said. ‘Here am I.’ And he said, ‘N[ow I know that (it was a lie that?)] he (Abraham) will no longer be loving.’ And YHWH Elohim blessed Is[aac all the days of his life (cf. 4Q 226 7.3) and he begot] Jacob, and Jacob begot Levi (in the) [third (cf. 4Q 226 7.5)] genera[tion. And all] the days of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Lev[i were … years]. And the prince Ma[s]temah was bound [and the holy angels (cf. 4Q 226 7.6)] … the prince Ma[s]temah, and Belial listened to …

The Book of Enoch (also known as 1 Enoch) was written during the second century B.C. The older sections (mainly in the Book of the Watchers) of the text are estimated to date from about 300–200 B.C., and the latest part (Book of Parables) probably to 100 B.C. Various Aramaic fragments found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as Koine Greek and Latin fragments, were proof that The Book of Enoch was known by early Jews and Christians.

You will note some abbreviations, brackets, and symbols specially used in the translation of 1 Enoch:

• ⌈ ⌉. The use of these brackets means that the words so enclosed are found in the Greek Version preserved In Syncellus but not in the Ethiopic Version.
• ⌈⌈ ⌉⌉. The use of these brackets means that the words so enclosed are found in E the Ethiopic Version but not in the Greek Version preserved In Syncellus or the Greek Version discovered at Akhmîm.
• 〉. The use of these brackets means that the words so enclosed are restored.
• [ ] The use of these brackets means that the words so enclosed are interpolations.
• ( ). The use of these brackets means that the words so enclosed are supplied by the editor.
• The use of thick type denotes that the words so printed are emended.
• † † corruption in the text.
• . . . = some words which have been lost.

15:1 And He answered and said to me, and I heard His voice: ‘Fear not, Enoch, thou righteous man and scribe of righteousness: approach hither and hear my voice. 2. And go, say to ⌈⌈the Watchers of the heavens⌉⌉, who have sent thee to intercede ⌈⌈for them: “You should intercede”⌉⌉ for men, and not men for you: 3. Wherefore have ye left the high, holy, and eternal the heavens, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the children of land, and begotten giants (as your) sons? 4. And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have coveted after flesh and blood as those ⌈also⌉ do who die and perish. 5. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on land. 6. But you were ⌈formerly⌉ spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. 7. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heavens, in the heavens is their dwelling. 8. And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, will be called evil spirits upon the land, and on the land will be their dwelling. 9. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men, ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; ⌈they will be evil spirits on land, and⌉ evil spirits will they be called. [10. As for the spirits of the heavens, in the heavens will be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the land which were born upon the land, on the land will be their dwelling.] 11. And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the land, and cause trouble: they take no food, ⌈but nevertheless hunger⌉ and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits will rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded ⌈from them⌉. Luke 11:24-26 The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ 25 When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

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Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 1.13.1-4 (T)

Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

1.13.1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten and given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the will of God: who being desirous to make an experiment of Abraham’s religious disposition towards himself, appeared to him, and enumerated all the blessings he had bestowed on him; how he had made him superior to his enemies; and that his son Isaac, who was the principal part of his present happiness, was derived from him; and he said that he required this son of his as a slaughter and holy oblation. Accordingly he commanded him to carry him to the mountain Moriah, and to build an altar, and offer him for a burnt-offering upon it for that this would best manifest his religious disposition towards him, if he preferred what was pleasing to God, before the preservation of his own son.

1.13.2. Now Abraham thought that it was not right to disobey Elohim in any thing, but that he was obliged to serve him in every circumstance of life, since all creatures that live enjoy their life by his providence, and the kindness he bestows on them. Accordingly he concealed this command of God, and his own intentions about the slaughter of his son, from his wife, as also from every one of his servants, otherwise he should have been hindered from his obedience to God; and he took Isaac, together with two of his servants, and laying what things were necessary for a slaughter upon an ass, he went away to the mountain. Now the two servants went along with him two days; but on the third day, as soon as he saw the mountain, he left those servants that were with him till then in the plain, and, having his son alone with him, he came to the mountain. It was that mountain upon which king David afterwards built the temple. Now they had brought with them every thing necessary for a slaughter, excepting the animal that was to be offered only. Now Isaac was twenty-five years old. And as he was building the altar, he asked his father what he was about to offer, since there was no animal there for an oblation : – to which it was answered, “That Elohim would provide himself an oblation, he being able to make a plentiful provision for men out of what they have not, and to deprive others of what they already have, when they put too much trust therein; that therefore, if Elohim pleased to be present and propitious at this slaughter, he would provide himself an oblation.”

1.13.3. As soon as the altar was prepared, and Abraham had laid on the wood, and all things were entirely ready, he said to his son, “O son, I poured out a vast number of prayers that I might have thee for my son; when thou wast come into the world, there was nothing that could contribute to thy support for which I was not greatly solicitous, nor any thing wherein I thought myself happier than to see thee grown up to man’s estate, and that I might leave thee at my death the successor to my dominion; but since it was by God’s will that I became thy father, and it is now his will that I relinquish thee, bear this consecration to Elohim with a generous mind; for I resign thee up to Elohim who has thought fit now to require this testimony of honor to himself, on account of the favors he hath conferred on me, in being to me a supporter and defender. Accordingly thou, my son, wilt now die, not in any common way of going out of the world, but sent to God, the Father of all men, beforehand, by thy own father, in the nature of a slaughter. I suppose he thinks thee worthy to get clear of this world neither by disease, neither by war, nor by any other severe way, by which death usually comes upon men, but so that he will receive thy soul with prayers and holy offices of religion, and will place thee near to himself, and thou wilt there be to me a succorer and supporter in my old age; on which account I principally brought thee up, and thou wilt thereby procure me Elohim for my Comforter instead of thyself.”

1.13.4. Now Isaac was of such a generous disposition as became the son of such a father, and was pleased with this discourse; and said, “That he was not worthy to be born at first, if he should reject the determination of Elohim and of his father, and should not resign himself up readily to both their pleasures; since it would have been unjust if he had not obeyed, even if his father alone had so resolved.” So he went immediately to the altar to be slaughtered. And the deed had been done if Elohim had not opposed it; for he called loudly to Abraham by his name, and forbade him to slay his son; and said, “It was not out of a desire of human blood that he was commanded to slay his son, nor was he willing that he should be taken away from him whom he had made his father, but to try the temper of his mind, whether he would be obedient to such a command. Since therefore he now was satisfied as to that his alacrity, and the surprising readiness he showed in this his piety, he was delighted in having bestowed such blessings upon him; and that he would not be wanting in all sort of concern about him, and in bestowing other children upon him; and that his son should live to a very great age; that he should live a happy life, and bequeath a large principality to his children, who should be good and legitimate.” He foretold also, that his family should increase into many nations and that those patriarchs should leave behind them an everlasting name; that they should obtain the possession of the land of Canaan, and be envied by all men. When Elohim had said this, he produced to them a ram, which did not appear before, for the slaughter. So Abraham and Isaac receiving each other unexpectedly, and having obtained the promises of such great blessings, embraced one another; and when they had slaughtered, they returned to Sarah, and lived happily together, Elohim affording them his assistance in all things they desired.